Wall paintings, her forte

Ananda KANNANGARA

Paintings, a lively art has become an important part of my life. I started painting from my younger days and I feel it gives me a great pleasure," the veteran painter Sudumanike Wijesooriya said at a ceremony held at Dudley Senanayaka Maha Vidyalaya, Tolangamuwa recently.

The occasion organised by the school staff was held to felicitate her for winning the `Diriya Kantha Award-2009'. The Diriya Kantha Award ceremony was held at the Royal College Auditorium, Navarangahala to coincide with the International Women's Day. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa gave away the prizes. Sudumanike was awarded a certificate, a medal and a cash prize in recognition of her artistic talents.

Sudumenike Wijesooriya

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa presenting the `Diriya Kantha Award’ to Sudumenike Wijesooriya.

Presently attached to the staff at the Dudley Senanayaka Maha Vidyalaya, Tolangamuwa, she also conducts an art academy at Tulhiriya for the benefit of children in village schools.

Recalling her past she said at the age of 13, she received a certificate and a prize from the then Governor William Gopallawa for her paintings at an exhibition, held at the Colombo Art Gallery. Having completed a full-time course at the Performing and Visual Art Educational Institute at Giragama, she was appointed as an Art teacher at Mandalagiriya Maha Vidyalaya, Medirigiriya and later at Sigiriya Maha Vidylaya and Tulhiriya Maha Vidyalaya.

She has also got an opportunity to follow a course in painting at the National Educational Institute, Maharagama. According to Sudumanike, her maiden Art exhibition was held at Colombo Art Gallery in October, 2001.

"Since then, I have conducted four art exhibitions at the Colombo Art Gallery and the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery," she said.

The first- ever wall paintings of this renowned artist cum painter was declared open at Sri Sudharshanaramaya temple, Mahena in Warakapola by its Chief incumbent Ven. Barathi Thera in December last year.

According to Sudumanike, the wall paintings depict many events relating to the Buddha era. The famous Kusa Jathaka and Sama Jathaka stories, Nanda Thera's ordination ceremony and the birth of Prince Siddhartha are some of the landmark religious events, painted in the shrine room of Sri Sudharshanaramaya.

"Although I had a dream of finishing a wall painting at a place of historical importance, I was unable to realise it till I was invited by the Ven. Barathi Thera," she said.

She recalled, before starting her wall paintings, she visited many ancient temples in the country with a view to to acquiring a wide knowledge on wall paintings.

"I also got instructions on wall paintings from the famous painter Jayasiri Semage and on his request I got the opportunity to see the paintings at Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya".

She said she intends to do more wall paintings at historical places in the future.

Talking about her personal life, Sudumanike said her husband gives her every encouragement to develop her inborn talents while both her daughter and the son are pursuing higher studies abroad.